WRITING SAMPLE:
This page includes an extensively researched and well-written policy paper I constructed for a Political Power and American Public Policy college course. During this course, I explored and analyzed the controversial questions and debates about political power and areas of public policy and utilized such acquired knowledge to produce work that showcases my writing conventions in the field of study of political science, my level of information literacy, and skills in written-communication. More specifically, this policy paper focuses on the immense research I uncovered to prove the colorblind racist foundation that has plagued the ineffective, discriminatory United States criminal justice system. Additionally, this policy paper breaks down several both successful and unsuccessful criminal justice legislation that was then utilized to support possible promising policy reforms for the future of our justice system. The final leg of this work argues possible legislation, actions, and what the future of effective reform should appear as.
Among the many pieces I have written and complex problems I have explored, I have chosen to include this policy paper for a variety of reasons. This work sample is extremely prevalent and important in the era of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Furthermore, this chosen work sample articulates my experience and passion for research, my preferred informative, argumentative form of writing, and a realm within the United States governance structure that I am quite intrigued with: the criminal justice system.
POLICY PAPER:
“Uncovering and Eliminating the Colorblind Racism within our Criminal Justice System”
Click this link for the full policy paper which brings scholarly evidence and awareness of the colorblind foundation of the United States’ criminal justice system.
LEADERSHIP REPORT:
2020-2021 SPA Leadership Program: Closing the Educational Achievement Gap Action Project
During the 2020 fall semester, I tackled the research question: Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the achievement gap and retention rates for low-income, first-generation, Hispanic, and Black students?
The widespread transition to online learning due to our current pandemic has further perpetuated the deeply-rooted institutional disparities within the US education system and has brought to light the achievement gap that has remained stagnant for over 65 years. Therefore, with limited educational resources and assistance, the pressures of poverty and higher crime rates in lower-income areas, African American, Latinx, low-income, and first-generation students are on average severely neglected by our current inequitable system.
Based on my fall research, I decided to partner with a well-known DMV non-profit, Higher Achievement, and launched a social media initiative to inform the general public about the national education crisis, engage the public in fundraising for Higher Achievement, and promoted a remote charity run.
Therefore, click here for a final report on my 2020-2021 American University Leadership Program Research and Social Action Project for more in-depth insights.